Faking it in Manual Mode

[CapturingLight]

Do I have any business sticking my nose in manual mode, or should I spend more time in the AV/TV modes? Rebel XS.

#1 1/400, F4.5, ISO400, RAW

#2 1/640, F5.6, ISO500

#3 1/1600, F2.5, ISO320


~Jesse

 

[Josh66]

They all look well exposed to me, and I like your choice of DOF on all of them.

I mean, like someone was saying in another thread today, there's nothing special about them just because they were shot in manual mode...

There's no reason you have to use manual all the time (though there's nothing wrong with that either). I will say though, that if all you ever do in manual is zero the meter out, there isn't much point in using it. Av will do the same thing faster.


I'm not saying that's what you did here. I'm just saying that other modes do that faster than manual, if that's all you're going to do.

 

[480sparky68 67]

I am of the opinion that anyone starting out in photography should be required to learn Manual FIRST.

Only after they understand exposure should the be allowed to have any other exposure mode.

 

[Trever1t]

it really isn't all that big a deal really. Do whatever you're comfortable with if you can achieve your desired results. There are times when using M mode is the easiest.

 

[BuS_RiDeR]

Do I have any business sticking my nose in manual mode...

My opinion? If you enjoy photography and the creative control manual mode offers... Then yes.

 

[nickzou]

Do I have any business sticking my nose in manual mode

If it looks like what you envisioned it to look like; yes.

 

[joealcantar]

Look cool to me, keep shooting it .
-
Shoot well, Joe

 

[CapturingLight]

Shooting in manual DOES force me to understand what the camera is doing. Therefore, when the opportunity arises for applying correct exposure I will be ready. Josh, I seldom find that simply zeroing the meter allows me to achieve the shot I'm looking for. If anything I tend to underexpose more, but I don't know why. I fumble through the other choices in metering, focus modes and WB, sometimes with success, or perhaps I just get lucky!

Thanks for the perspectives,
~Jesse

 

[EPPhoto]

Everyone should shoot in manual mode!! lol, no there are times when aperture/shutter priority come in handy. (usually when there's a need for speed and its coupled with constant changes in light),
Shooting in A or T can help the beginner tog, to learn/understand the exposure triangle. But you can just buck up and shoot manual and figure it out for yourself!

 

[GeorgieGirl]

Well I am a fan of #1. And I am a habitual underexposer too. Do you shoot RAW or jpeg?

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Shooting in manual DOES force me to understand what the camera is doing. Therefore, when the opportunity arises for applying correct exposure I will be ready. Josh, I seldom find that simply zeroing the meter allows me to achieve the shot I'm looking for. If anything I tend to underexpose more, but I don't know why. I fumble through the other choices in metering, focus modes and WB, sometimes with success, or perhaps I just get lucky!

Thanks for the perspectives,
~Jesse

Let's not forget our friend "ISO", in times of need that friend is always there

 

[Josh66]

There are times when using M mode is the easiest.

Flash photography (especially off camera) being the first that comes to mind...

Josh, I seldom find that simply zeroing the meter allows me to achieve the shot I'm looking for.

Then you understand what manual mode is for. Now you just need to learn why certain choices work for you and others don't.


I take most of my pictures with one of two cameras... One is a top of the line (in 1995, lol) 35mm SLR that basically never leaves manual. It's nothing to brag about though (using manual, that is) - that's just my preferred mode to work in.

The other is a small aperture priority only (with exposure compensation) 35mm rangefinder. You just select the aperture you want and BAM - perfect exposure, lol.

They both have their place, and there's nothing wrong with either one. You just have to learn the limitations, and how to work around them.

 

[nickzou]

The other is a small aperture priority only (with exposure compensation) 35mm rangefinder.

What rangefinder?

 

[CapturingLight]

For sure 2Wheel, I only forgot to list it in the reply. While I am at the beginning of this road, my biggest advancements have been found through understanding the numerous choices in my relatively simple XS. In terms of the underexposing, in reflection of my comment, I think it is a result of analyzing the histogram.

Here are some ISO extremes I found solutions with -

ISO125

ISO1600

 

[Josh66]

What rangefinder?

Olympus XA.

edit
http://www.keh.com/camera/Olympus--Fixed-Lens-Cameras/1/sku-OM040090334390?r=FE

I also have the flash (which is removable) that one comes with.


BTW - BGN grade at KEH has always been very good from my experience.